The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-27

One morning, late in February, as
Messrs. Lorraine & Stearne sat in their
private Office, an elegant carriage drew
up before the door, and the liveried foot
man assisted to the pavement lady,
velvet rolled and ermine wrapped. She
assembled the steps, and in few seconds
stood in the presence of the two young
publishers. With quiet dignity she ac-
cepted the proffered seat, and then threw
back her cloak, displaying costly jewels
at throat, wrists and girdIe.
The footnnn who accompanied her
carried in his hand asquare package.
II have brought book" she said,
motioning toward it, (Which wish you
to examine"
"Ccrtainly; shall be happy to do so,"
smiled Mr.. Lorraine. coming forward
and taking the package from the servants
hand.
"Lct me know your opinion at your
earliest convenience" she said, rising
and dropping dainty card into the re-
ceiver as she turned away.
Mr.. Lorraine followed her to the car
riagc, and then watched it disappear.
"Hcy, Charlie, struck?' asked Mr..
Stearne, as he re-entered.
"Struck? Yes, by Jove! if you choose
to call it that. But did you ever see
such vision of lovelness2"
"Vision of dry goods, you mean. Do
your really suppose such creature could
write anything the public would care to
rcad!"
''Shc is BEAUTIFUL, rich, and no doubt
talented" declared Charlie, eagerly scan
ming the white enameied and gold card
she had left. Miss Doilic Williams, 20S
Park street. Dollie Williams; not highly
romantic, Charlie, and you dote on
names, you know
The gentlemen addressed looked lit
tie crestIallen, but he tore open the MAN.
uscript.
'sWc'll see what it is like" he said,
for want an excuse for calling at No.
2OS 1T my earliest convenience.
Mr. Stcarne said nothing. lie knew
his partner to 'e a superficial observer,
although he pridcd himself on his dis
ccrnmcnt; but both were surprised rs
they pcrused the work. 1t was not prac
tical and sadly needed revision, but the
web of fancy was exquisite, showing that
the young authoress possessed no COM
mon talent.
1--WE must make her an offer of some
kind" declared Charlie. "though sup
pose what we do will seem beggarly."
Then perhaps we had better do moth
ing" said Mr.. Stcarne, who could not
reconcile the over-dressed fashionable
lady with the evidence of intellect and
careful training displayed in her work.
"Then I shall make her an individual
offer one of these days, which hope she
will not have the heart to refuse"
'NVell. Well drive out to No. 20S
this afternoon. Let us settle this busi-
ness first, and then your individual offer
will be in order.
No. 20S. Could it be that mcan-look-'
ing dwelling, the single door of which
was surrounded by COWS, while milk
maid was busily plying her task2
Mr.. Lorraine's face was study as they
drove up to the door.
There's some mistake,' said he, and
his companion could only smile broadly
to keep from laughing outright.
"We are looking for Miss Dollie Will
iams," said Mr.. Sterne, politely, to the
middle aged woman who answered their
knock.
81 am Miss Dollic Williams, SIR" an
swered she, briskly. "Walk in, gentle
men,
Really, madam, you must be mis-
taken" said MIR. Lorraine, aghast.
Mistaken! Don't know my own
name, hey? You are printers, stearne
& Lorraine, aren't YOU"
"Well, yes, but
'Its all right, then. Didn't expect you
to call. Thought you would write, but
no harm done. hope
At this moment the milkmaid entered,
bearing in each hand foam capped pail.
She looked startled and confused, first at
one then the other, then, placing her
milk-pails on the floor, she faced them
detiantly. The vivid scarlet in her checks
and lips, and the proud light in her dark
eyes, gave her beauty no establishment
could brighten.
~ did not mean you to see me thus"
she said, candidly, "but perhaps it is
just as we'll
"Yes, perhaps" said Mr.. Lorraine,
with an assumption of dignity. But
how came you to appear as you did at
our office 2"
Cannot the jackdaw pin on the pea
cocks feathers?" she retortcd, haughtiiy.
"You, sir, have been kind enough to
show me how vast is the difference be-
tween the two birds Had l obtained a
hearing in my own character l would |
never have dreamed of assuming that of
another-did not dream of doing so. un-
til the lady herself suggested it, and in
sisted on placing everything at my dis
posal to try the experiment. She has
kindly interested herself in me--is one
of our best milk customers isn't she,
Dollic ?"
Mr.. Lorraine sat in helpless silence,
while his partner in business negotiated |
with the young authoress congratulating
her on her unquestionable talent as
writer.
Both young men were silent during
the drive homeward, though from differ |
ent emotions. For the image of the |
young girl, as he had imagined her. was
shattered in the shallow heart of Charles
Lorraine by the same master stroke that
had now enshrined it forever in the
true, noble one of Horace Stcarne.
One year later Mr.. Stearne led the girl
he loved to the altar looking, not like u
peacock, but snow-whitc dove.
The rich, eccentric Lady had made
pet of her, and introduced her to society